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This classic Waldorf Salad recipe has been a cherished recipe in my family for years. The crunchy apples and walnuts, crisp celery, and sweet grapes pair perfectly with the creamy dressing. So many delicious flavors and textures!
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I first tried Waldorf Salad at my mother-in-law’s home in the early 1990s. She was an excellent cook, and this salad was a side dish at many of her meals. I fell in love with the balance of sweet and savory flavors – and the crunch! I’ve have been making her recipe ever since.
What is a Waldorf Salad?
The original Waldorf salad was created in 1869 for a charity ball at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. Credited to Oscar Tschirky, the recipe featured just 3 ingredients: apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Later Waldorf salad recipes appearing in cookbooks included the addition of walnuts. Later versions added walnuts, and more recent adaptations include dried fruit or grapes for extra sweetness. For a comprehensive look at the history of the Waldorf salad, check out this Food52 article.
Ingredients Needed
- Crisp apples – Choose Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala for the best flavor and crunch.
- Lemon juice – Keeps the apples fresh and prevents browning.
- Red grapes – Halved for easy eating.
- Celery sticks – Chopped for a fresh, crunchy bite.
- Walnuts – Toasting them lightly enhances their flavor (optional).
- Mayonnaise or plain yogurt – For a creamy dressing.
- Lettuce leaves – Use green leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, mixed greens, or other varieties for a nice presentation.
How to Make Waldorf Salad
- Prepare the ingredients. Wash and dice the apples into bite-size chunks. Toss them in lemon juice for freshness. Halve the grapes and chop the celery.
- Combine the ingredients. Add the grapes, celery, and walnuts to the apples. Stir in the mayonnaise until everything is well coated.
- Refrigerate. Chill until ready to serve.
- Serve. Serve in a large bowl or scoop individual portions onto a bed of lettuce for an elegant presentation.
The Dressing
This creamy dressing is true to the original Waldorf-Astoria recipe, it’s simply mayonnaise. The sweetness of the apples and grapes balances the mayo perfectly, but you can customize the dressing:
- For a sweeter dressing: Mix 2 teaspoons of sugar or 1 teaspoon of honey into the mayonnaise before it is added to the salad. Stir in a little lemon juice for a fresh, citrus flavor.
- Mayonnaise substitutes: Not a fan of mayo? Use non-fat plain yogurt, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or Miracle whip for a lighter or tangier option.
5-Star Reviews
A big hit at a dinner party with my family at home. Everyone including the children loved the freshness of this salad. And everything just fits great together! – Natasha
Nummy, nummy! Made this tonight. Delicious, quick and easy and full of healthy ingredients. Thank you! – Dorthy
My husband loves this recipe! I can’t wait to make this again soon! So delicious and yummy! – Beth
Waldorf Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady apples
- 3 crisp Granny Smith apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped celery (about 3 ribs)
- 2 cups red grapes
- 1 cup walnuts
- ¾ cup mayonnaise or plain yogurt
- 3 cups green leaf lettuce or mixed greens
Instructions
- Wash and dice the 6 apples into bite-size pieces. Place the diced apples in a large bowl and toss in lemon juice. Rinse and half 2 cups of grapes. Wash and slice the 3 ribs of celery to get 1 cup. Cut the walnuts in half.
- Mix celery, grapes, and walnuts in with the apples. Add ¾ cup mayonnaise or yogurt and stir until the fruit and nuts are well coated.
- Refrigerate salad until ready to serve.
- Serve over a bed of green leaf lettuce or mixed salad greens.
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Notes
Storing Leftovers:
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best to use this salad within a day or two. The apples will start to brown, the pecans will soften, and the salad will become watery.Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweet, crisp apples work best. I recommend using a combination of Pink Lady and Granny Smith for a blend of colors and flavors. Other great options include: Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Gala, Envy, and Fuji.
I prefer Best Food’s mayonnaise (also called Hellman’s mayonnaise depending on your location). It’s rich, creamy texture works beautifully in this salad.
Yes, but it’s best served the same day. Prepare it a few hours before serving to keep the apples fresh and the walnuts crunchy.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
Looking for more fresh, flavorful salads? These recipes are easy to make and perfect for any occasion:
Going to make for a pitch in at church. I will let you know how the people like it.
Just like my grandma used to make!! Simple and delicious!!
Hi guys welcome to get curry I bring to your kitchen today is chicken curry or butter chicken masala . Well this is one of those gems, that we end up ordering in a restaurant every time you place an order well it is ideal. Chicken curry | Chicken butter masala| Chicken Makini
First kitchen in 4 years due to assisted living and stroke…could not remember what went into Waldorf Salad and recipes went with the sale of the house. Thanks for helping me recover a skill that was important to me!
I am so happy you are doing better. I hope you have continued to improve. I love this recipes simplicity.
A big hit at a dinner party with my family at home. Everyone including the children loved the freshness of this salad. And everything just fits great together!
Super yummy! I love a good Waldorf salad! This has all the best stuff in it! Perfect crisp apple, sweet grapes, crunchy protein filled nuts…a lovely dressing! So delightful!
Yum, this was even a hit with my kids, love all the fruit in it!
Thank You. I’ve not had this salad in years….
My husband loves this recipe! I can’t wait to make this again soon! So delicious and yummy!
Waldorf salad is always a good choice, and this recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious!
Light and delicious — perfect for brunch!
Easily my favorite salad. Love this recipe!
Yum! This is my favorite salad!
Nummy, nummy! Made this tonight. Delicious, quick and easy and full of healthy ingredients. Thank you!
Nummy, nummy! Made this tonight. Delicious, quick and easy and full of healthy ingredients.
Thank you!
How far in advance can I make this salad?
I wouldn’t make it very far in advance because the apples will brown!
Grew up with Waldorf salad. Never knew it was related to the Waldorf Astoria. Who knew. Always loved it.
Our family has used this recipe for years and it is so refreshing in the summer as well as a light side anytime.
I agree!
We always add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the mayo. It makes it creamier and taste delicious with apples!
Yum! I love that idea!
Healthy Diet:Calories Guava Apple is claim to assist lower levels of cholesterol and also reduce risk of type-2 diabetes. Calories In Guava | 3 Apple Salad Recipes For a Nutritious Meal|
What a lovely, cool, delicious, and refreshing salad to enjoy as a ‘side-dish’ with dinner on a hot summer’s evening! (BTW, your choice of apples is ‘spot-on’!) Also, for those of us who like to eat ‘lite’, I’d cook a chicken breast, cool it, dice it, and add it into the salad. This would also make it a nice & lite luncheon dish. I’m anxious to try it.
Yum – thank you.